Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Flyers Overpower Devils, Sanheim, Quick Hits

First...the Devils looked really awful last night. I realize it's just the preseason, but they were putrid. Not that I mind when those scumbags are pathetic

The present AND future of this club look very promising.

Great effort from the boys last night, but the Devils looked just awful...

I got to the game half way through the 1st period and left after the second. From what I did see, Voracek looked fresh. His pass to Laughton for the goal was a beauty as he waited out the Devils' dman who ended up sliding prematurely. Great patience from Jake. He had his skating legs. I guess Berube's message about conditioning really did get heard.

I got to the game half way through the 1st period and left after the second. From what I did see, Voracek looked fresh. His pass to Laughton for the goal was a beauty as he waited out the Devils' dman who ended up sliding prematurely. Great patience from Jake. He had his skating legs. I guess Berube's message about conditioning really did get heard.
- NickTheKid87

Remember when ppl wanted to trade him, read and simmonds for Ryan?

First...the Devils looked really awful last night. I realize it's just the preseason, but they were putrid. Not that I mind when those scumbags are pathetic
- aantny88

From the highlights and score sheet, looks like Laughton had a breakout game offensively. Very happy for him and well see if he can keep it up. I've been very impressed by ghost as well. That shot is killer. He's a free roamer but if Murray can instill some d responsibility in him, he could be fantastic. This is the best I've felt about the team direction in a long time. Maybe not a contender this year, but I have confidence in Hexy. Could you imagine if say 3 of the d prospects turn into top 6 nhl dmen and by chance one is a 1 or 2 stud? We'd be golden. I also trust hexys judgement on drafting d as he got to watch doughty grow into the monster he now is.

I got to the game half way through the 1st period and left after the second. From what I did see, Voracek looked fresh. His pass to Laughton for the goal was a beauty as he waited out the Devils' dman who ended up sliding prematurely. Great patience from Jake. He had his skating legs. I guess Berube's message about conditioning really did get heard.
- NickTheKid87

I agree, every game the team has looked a bit faster and better conditioned than they have been in the past...hopefully this gives them a jump on most games at the beginning of the year...I also think being the second year under Chief will help with most of the parts still in place from last year...

Remember when ppl wanted to trade him, read and simmonds for Ryan?
- JoeRussomanno

Jake is vastly underrated IMO. I don't think I'd do that trade straight up.

How's Laughton been in camp so far? Is he gonna stick with the main club?

I think Ghost is making it hard for the Flyers to send him to LV. He has such a smooth sense about him, great vision and a helluva shot. I know he will probably start the year down in LV but for how long, the kid just reeks NHL all over him.

So after last night I was thinking that maybe a 4th line of Leirer - Laughton - Bellamare/Rinaldo could be our answer. All can skate and i feel they would be a pain to play against since all can get in on the forecheck. Also Leirer and Laughton can kill penalties and are solid in their own end. They could take some hard minutes off Couturier and Read and Giroux.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Flyers Overpower Devils, Sanheim, Quick Hits
- bmeltzer

Very excited about the Sanheim deal. I think he's going to end up the best of the Four Horsemen. That said, I don;t think any of them are ready for regular NHL work.

Alt's looked solid thus far, and honestly, he's the one I guy I'd be OK with starting the season with at the NHL level. In fact I think that he'll be one of the first call ups in case of injury.

The other have all shown flashes of their skill level, ability and potential. But there have been ups and downs, even in the pre-season where the intensity level is not as high a regular season game. Gostisbehere and Morin looked great last night. But the Devils had all the intensity of a guy going clothes shopping with his wife during the Super Bowl.

It's good to have excitement, but let's temper it a bit.

Remember when ppl wanted to trade him, read and simmonds for Ryan?
- JoeRussomanno

Yes

At the time, a good number of people realized Voracek was better. I don't think there's even question now. Voracek isn't the natural shooter that Ryan is but Jake does pretty much everything else better and still scores plenty of goals.

Edit: Not even mentioning those other guys.

How's Laughton been in camp so far? Is he gonna stick with the main club?
- LeftCoaster

He's been ok, but last night he really broke out offensively. I think it's up in the air whether or not he sticks or goes to the A.

That was quite the impressive win. A few takeaways:

Laughton: First time getting to really watch him closely this preseason. Looked very good, didn't get caught out of position, is able to handle the puck well. Offensively, despite his 3-point night, I still think he needs some improvement in his passing and shooting, as he's not likely to get much PP time in the regular season. Still say he's a good candidate for the 4C spot.

Blair Jones really impressed me. Then again, so did Jon Sim many years ago. But, at least for one night, he looked like a fine, legit NHL player. Put himself in good position, is able to move the puck well, nothing special but nothing bad either. Could challenge for a 4W or 13th forward.

Gostisbehere: My good lord! This kid is a treat to watch. So sure and confident with the puck, and for good reason. Even on the flubbed pass, he was still able to fire a rocket home. I don't know how a player his size can release such a bomb. You can just see how much he wants to be the player with the puck, almost commanding it. One thing VERY underrated about him is his ability to get shots through to the net, something the Flyers have been missing since Chris Pronger went down.

Voracek: Easily the best player on the ice. Jake being Jake.

Morin: Had a bit of a shaky first period but looked really good. His decision making needs to be a bit quicker, and his puck skills need to improve, but he acquitted himself just fine. Used his size well, and used his reach to its full advantage last night. Pretty much just leans on people to eliminate them along the boards.

Leier: Really surprising me. I know he looked good, but he really looks like an NHL player right now. Pretty much reminds me of Raffl with better finishing skills.

All in all, very good for the entire team. Even AMac and Grossmann looked good (aside from that one failed clear up the middle on the PK) despite their naysayers. I liked the effort and hustle from top to bottom.

Jake is vastly underrated IMO. I don't think I'd do that trade straight up.
- Hextall271

Agreed. Voracek is on the verge of becoming an elite player.

I can honestly say, I am just as excited to watch the phantoms play as the flyers. I haven't been able to say that in a long long time.

While we have a barely above average team this season, Thinking about how strong our farm system is, gives me goosebumps. Do you realize one day 4-5 of our top 6 could be home grown, think about the cap room we would have...we could have a better team WITH CAP SPACE.

This is how you rebuild imo, you ice a solid team (I think we will make the playoffs) and don't rush your star prospects.

Plus as everyone knows our top forwards will still be in their prime when these kids are ready to play.

Holy crap I have never been more excited for the future of this team.

The Devils looked disinterested.... but the Flyers looked pretty good last night. Nice skating, passing, etc. They looked crisp at times. They seemed quicker than usual.

I agree, every game the team has looked a bit faster and better conditioned than they have been in the past...hopefully this gives them a jump on most games at the beginning of the year...I also think being the second year under Chief will help with most of the parts still in place from last year...
- JW98FlyerFan

A decent amount of blame for last year's slow start can probably be put on conditioning. Hartnell, Voracek, et al were not ready for the season which is unacceptable. I'm not Berube's biggest fan but I like that he's demanding everyone be in tip top shape.

Very excited about the Sanheim deal. I think he's going to end up the best of the Four Horsemen. That said, I don;t think any of them are ready for regular NHL work.

Alt's looked solid thus far, and honestly, he's the one I guy I'd be OK with starting the season with at the NHL level. In fact I think that he'll be one of the first call ups in case of injury.

The other have all shown flashes of their skill level, ability and potential. But there have been ups and downs, even in the pre-season where the intensity level is not as high a regular season game. Gostisbehere and Morin looked great last night. But the Devils had all the intensity of a guy going clothes shopping with his wife during the Super Bowl.

It's good to have excitement, but let's temper it a bit.
- Jsaquella

With Ghost, Hagg, Alt, Sanheim, and Morin it is easy to get excited. Especially since this franchise has been barren of defensive prospects for a quarter century. But agreed, the excitement has to be harnessed a bit. These players are all babies, and there will be growing pains along the way. The talent and skill set appear to be there.

I can honestly say, I am just as excited to watch the phantoms play as the flyers. I haven't been able to say that in a long long time.

While we have a barely above average team this season, Thinking about how strong our farm system is, gives me goosebumps. Do you realize one day 4-5 of our top 6 could be home grown, think about the cap room we would have...we could have a better team WITH CAP SPACE.

This is how you rebuild imo, you ice a solid team (I think we will make the playoffs) and don't rush your star prospects.

Plus as everyone knows our top forwards will still be in their prime when these kids are ready to play.

Holy crap I have never been more excited for the future of this team.
- flyers4487

I remember saying this in the early carter Richards days. I still think its important to make the playoffs for the experience for mase, g et al. Don't think we contend but in the weaker east, make the dance and see if you can take a round. Very important for development.

With Ghost, Hagg, Alt, Sanheim, and Morin it is easy to get excited. Especially since this franchise has been barren of defensive prospects for a quarter century. But agreed, the excitement has to be harnessed a bit. These players are all babies, and there will be growing pains along the way. The talent and skill set appear to be there.
- PLindbergh31

The team hasn't even tried to hide the fact that none of them will be playing in the nhl this season.

That said I would be ok with Moran getting a few games at the nhl level since he has to go back to jrs. As has been said, I think he could use some regular season practice time with the flyers.

I hate the chl under 20 rule so much, I don't understand why the nhl doesn't change it to 19..... overage seasons are such a waste.

How's Laughton been in camp so far? Is he gonna stick with the main club?
- LeftCoaster

Laughton might stick due to injuries. Ryan White is out with a pectoralis injury and Pierre Bellemare, who was supposed to get a look at 4C was dinged up in the game vs Toronto in London, Ont.

Laughton didn't stand out as either good or bad until last night. Last night he was all over the place.

I remember saying this in the early carter Richards days. I still think its important to make the playoffs for the experience for mase, g et al. Don't think we contend but in the weaker east, make the dance and see if you can take a round. Very important for development.
- Hextall271

As I said in 2010 and last yr, all you have to do is make the playoffs and anything can happen. I absolutely think we will make the playoffs. I think we are in better shape then last year, solely because we have an entire team of jagers in terms of conditioning. I expect we wont see the flyers get out worked nearly as much this season.